Machine for producing venetian blind slats



Sept. 1, 1953 c. "r. CUMMING.

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING VENETIANB'LIND SLATS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, 194a INVENTOR. ea/ye 7621mm? Sept. 1, 1953- G. T, CUMMING '"MACHIN'E'FOR PRODUCING VENETIAN BLIND SLzATS Filed Aug. 2-, l948 4 sheets-sheet? HUII MI U 36' Sept 1,, 1953 G. T. QUMMING MACHINEFOR PRODUCING VENETIAN- BL'IND SLATS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 1948 INVENTOR.

. 620/96 7T6am m/ M L 1953 e. T. CUMMENG 2,650,649

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING VENETIAN BLIND SLATS Filed Aug. 2. 194a 4 Shets-Shee't 4 VINVENTOR. ''emye TQM/W 7 Patented Sept. 1, 1953 MACHINE FOR PRODUCING VENETIAN BLIND SLATS George T. Cumming, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to William Volker and Company of Missouri, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., a corporation Application August 2, 1948, Serial No. 41,935

6 Claims. 1

This invention has to do with the manufacture of Venetian blinds and more particularly to the slats for said blinds, the most important object being to provide a machine for automatically making a particular type of Venetian blind slat of a special character constituting essentially a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel wires having an elongated fiat tape affixed thereto.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a machine for making Venetian blind slats having means for continuously and simultaneously feeding a fiat tape and a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel wires along a given path of travel and automatically folding said tape over the wires securing the same to the wires through a heat process and then automatically severing the secured tape and wires into Venetian blind slats of selected lengths.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a machine of the aforementioned character having specially formed means forming a part of the wire-feed per se permitting feeding of the wire at a speed difierent from the speed of travel of the tape to the end that the wire end tape in the finished slat Will be virtually identical in lengths.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a Venetian blind slat producing machine having means for feeding a flat tape along a rectilinear path of travel, said tape feeding means being formed to impart a longitudinal stretch to the tape throughout the length thereof to the end that the tape and the finished slat will lie flatly both longitudinally and transversely between the spaced apart reinforcing wires therefor.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a machine as above set forth having feeding means for tape made from material inherently capable of fusing upon itself upon appiication of heat thereto, structure for applying such heat to the tape after the longitudinal marginal edges thereof have been folded over the pair of wires respectively to the end that said overlapped portions will readily adhere to one face of the tape.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of a machine as above set forth having structure forming a part of the tape feeding means capable of applying pressure to the folded edges of the tape not only before the same moves to the heating means but after such tape mo es along to a point where severing takes place, all to the end that such overlapped portions are held tightly against one face of the tape While the process of adhesion takes place.

Another important object of this invention also lies in the provision of a machine for producing Venetian blind slats having means for automatically folding the marginal edges of the tape over the opposed wires that are fed along said one face of the tape prior to the tape and the wires moving into the heat applying structure.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a specially formed cutting means capable of severing the secured tape and wires into slats of predetermined length and having embodied therein apparatus for holding the tape and wire While severing takes place and then automatical- 1y feeding the slat immediately after the severing action takes place.

Many additional objects will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of the machine for producing Venetian blind slats made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. la is a side elevational view illustrating the remainder of said machine.

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross sectional View taken on line II-II of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on irregular line III-III of Fig. 2, parts being broken away for clearness.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the means for folding the marginal edges of the tape forming a part of the slat over the reinforcing wires thereof.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the tape folding means illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary side elevational View illustrating the tape cutting means per se.

Fig. 8 is a detailed cross sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 1a, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line IXIX of Fig. 10!. looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 1G is a fragmentary detailed cross sectional view taken on line X--X of Fig. 1a.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line XIXI of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 11 showing the side opposite to that illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Fig. 13 is a detailed cross sectional view taken 3 on line X[IIXIII of Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a Venetian blind slat to be produced by the machine forming the subject matter of this invention, the slat illustrated in Fig. 14 being only partially formed for clearness.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the Venetian blind slat completely formed.

Fig. 16 is an end view of the slat; and

Fig. 17 is a transverse cross sectional view taken on line XVIIXVII of Fig, 15.

The Venetian blind slat contemplated to be manufactured by the machine forming the subject matter of this invention differs from the common type of slat generally known in that the same is at least partially flexible and definitely not rigid as in the case of a wood or metallic panel. This slat is elongated in the usual manner as illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 and includes a pair of substantially parallel, elongated reinforcing members it and I2 disposed along the longitudinal edges of the slat, the latter of which is generally designated by the numeral Hi. These two wires ill and i2 have secured thereto an elongated strip of tape it.

This tape it is made from flexible material that is somewhat pliable and ductile and also slightly elastic within limits. Such material may constitute a fabric or a combined textile and paper product commonly used on ordinary window shades or any other material capable of use with the machine about to be described in forming the Venetian blind slat [4.

Another characteristic of the material from which the tape is is formed is that it is readily fusible upon itself upon application of heat thereto. As will hereinafter be more fully set forth, this characteristic is extremely advantageous since the longitudinal marginal edges of tape it are folded over the corresponding wires 66 and [Z to lie flatly against one face [8 of tape it and these folded edges '28 and 22 are held tightly upon face if! while heat is applied thereto to the end that they adhere tightly to said face I8.

It is seen that a hem is formed in the tape it along the two longitudinal marginal edges thereof presenting pipings or tubular portions 24 and 26 for receiving the wires l and I2 respectively. The joined tape it and wires it and 82 are cut into desired lengths as illustrated in Fig. by the machine about to be described and as hereinaftermore fully 'set forth.

A ,pair of spaced apart elongated openings 28 are formed in the blind l4 and particularly in that portion thereof between the wires ill and I2 and the marginal edges of the overlapped portions and 22 thereof, said slots 28 having their longitudinal axes running transversely of slat l4. Each of these openings 28 is provided with a clip 30 disposed on the face of the blind l4 opposite to face 18 thereof and spanning the distance between the two reinforcing rods or wires 55 and i2 and the pipings 24 and 2B. This clip 3! has its ends provided with cars 32 that partially circumscribe the pipings 24 and 25 and the wires l9 and 12 respectively encased therein. The ends of the clip 39 between the two cars 32 thereof overlap the portions 20 and 22 of the tape !6 and abut the innermost edges of the pipings 22 and 24, all "as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1'7 of the drawings. It is thus seen that the ears 32 of clip 38 hold the wires 10 and 12 against separation and "that the ends of the clip 32 prevent inward movement of the wires 10 and i2 toward each other.

It is contemplated that mounting of the clips 30 upon the slat M constitute the last operation and be accomplished by a specially formed mechanism capable of automatically stamping the openings 28 in the tape it and a registering opening 3% in each clip 30 of the same contour as openings 28. Thus the clip 30 also serves as a reinforcing means for the openings 28, the latter of which receive the Venetian blind elevating ropes in the usual manner.

The machine for making the Venetian blind slat I l just described illustrated in Figs. 1 and 1a of the drawing, includes a framework broadly designated by the numeral 36 having a plurality of supporting legs 33 disposed in spaced apart relationship throughout its length. As is readily seen in these two figures, the machine is generally elongated and the framework 36 supports all of the component parts thereof.

The flexible tape l6 is carried in a roll 40 adjac'ent one end of the machine and this roll 40 is rotatably supported by a bracket 42 depending from the framework 36. Tape It is fed from the roll 48 along the entire length of the framework 36 in a substantially rectilinear, horizontal path of travel, tape it passing first over an arcuate guide member 44. From this guide member M the tape I6 is directed over a supporting plate 46 which carries a pressure plate 48 beneath which tape it travels. This pressure plate 48 is of conventional character and is provided with a plu rality of upstanding pins 50 serving as a means for shiftably securing plate 48 to plate 46,. said pins 50 being provided with springs to yieldably hold tape it tightly, yet freely slidable upon the uppermost face of plate 46. From these plates :35 and t3 the tape I6 passes into a folding means therefor designated by the numeral 52 and hereinafter more fully described. Simultaneously with the feeding of the tape l6 from roll 48, the pair of spaced apart wires I 0 and (2 are also fed upon the face l8 of tape i6. These wires i0 and 22 are directed into the machine from continuous rolls suitably supported by means not herein illustrated. These wires [6 and i2 first pass between pairs of spaced apart rollers 54 and 56 disposed, as illustrated in Fig. 1, adjacent one end of the machine proximal to the roll 6.0 of tape It and formed as more clearly illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawing.

A. hollow housing 53 mounted in upstanding relationship upon the framework 36 rotatably receives a shaft iiiihaving a bevel gearGZ on one end thereof externally of housing 59. One of the rollers 54 and one of the rollers 58 are mounted upon this shaft 69 and are rotatable therewith. These rollers are in spaced apart relationship as illustrated in Fig. 11.

A pair of U-shaped brackets '66 disposed within the housing 58 have bearings adjacent the 'free ends of the legs thereof for receiving a shaft 64 that joins opposed side walls of housing 58 as seen in Fig. 12, said legs being substantially triangular-shaped as partially illustrated in Fig. 12 of the drawing. Each of these uppermost rollers 54 and 58 is provided with a stub shaft joining the legs of the respective bracket 66 and rotatably mounted in another set of bearings spaced from the bearings for the shaft 64.

Gears 6B and 10 are formed on all the rollers 54 and 56 respectively adjacent one edge thereof, the gears of the uppermost rollers being enmeshed with the gears of the lowermost pair of rollers on shaft 60 as illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings and yieldably held in such meshing relationship by a pressure plate 12 overlying the two brackets 66, there being a pair of coil springs i l interposed between the plate 12 and the uppermost face of the bights of bracket 66.

Pressure plate 72 has an upstanding pin it slidably mounted in the housing 58 and extending upwardly between a pair of brackets l6 mounted upon housing 58. These two brackets it have swingably secured thereto by pin it an elongated arm to having a cam portion 82 bearing against the uppermost end of the pin l5 and serving to release the uppermost rollers 54 and 56 when arm 8% is swung upwardly from the position illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawing. All of the rollers 54 and 5e are provided with a plurality of annular grooves 84 disposed in substantially parallel relationship and extending outwardly from the gears 63 and ill thereof. The grooves of the lowermost rollers register with the grooves of the uppermost rollers and progressively decrease in depth as the gears tit and iii of the rollers are approached.

The wires ill and i2 of the slat 14 are directed between selected pairs of the grooves 34 after passing through a guiding means 86 extending outwardly from the frame 36 as illustrated in "ig. 1. Obviously, the combined diameter of any pair of grooves 8 is less than the diameter of the wires Hi and E2 to the end that a frictional grip is imparted to the wires l0 and i2 by the rollers 55: and it because of the provision of springs "it. Since these grooves M are of differing diameters, the speed at which the wires and I2 are fed into the machine upon rotation of shaft fill and consequently the rollers 54 and 56 will depend entirely upon which of the pairs of grooves rer ceives the wires. The rollers 54 and 5% feed the wires it and i2 directly into a wire straightener it and since this straightener 88 may be of conventional character, the same has not been detailed and need not be described.

As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the wires iii and :2 are directed between the plates it and 48 directly upon the uppermost face of the tape l6 which is the face 18 thereof illustrated in Figs. 14 to 17 inclusive of the drawings. Fig. 5 also illustrates the manner in which the wires ill and H are in substantially parallel relationship and spaced from the respective outermost marginal edges of the tape [6. The distance at which these wires l0 and 12 are so spaced determines the width of the slat i4 shown in Figs. 14 and 15. The folding means 52 which extends forwardly from the pressure plate 48 constitutes an initially flat strip of material formed from a bendable metallic substance, one end thereof being adjacent the pressure plate 48 and having a width substantially the same as the width of the tape H5. The longitudinal marginal edges of the opposite end of this folding means 52 are rebent upwardly and inwardly as at 9% to present spaced apart troughs for receiving and causing the marginal edges of the tape it to fold upon themselves over the wires It and I2. The distance between these troughs formed by the overlapping portions 90 of the member 52 adjacent the outermost free end thereof is substantlally the same as the distance between the wires it and i2. It is thus seen as the wires it and i2 in the tape 56 progress together through the folding means 52, the portions 29 and 22 of tape it will form a pair of hems that completely encompass the two wires I0 and I2 forming the pipings 24 and 26. From the folding means 52, the wires ill and i2 and the tape 15, pass beneath another pressure plate 92 yieldably bearing against --the tape' [6 and formed in much the am o same manner as the plate 48 and its component parts. The tape and wires progress from the pressure plate 92 into an elongated channel member 9t (Figs. 2, 3 and 4).

This channel member 93 as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, constitutes a pair of L-shaped strips presenting upstanding side walls which are spaced apart a distance substantially the same as the width of the completed slat E l shown in Fig. 15 of the drawing.

A plurality of roller assemblies (Figs. 2 and 3) are disposed throughout the length of the frame 2-5 for receiving the tape and the wires, after the former has been folded in the manner above described. These assemblies broadly designated by the numeral 93, include a polygonal framework ei' provided with a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel horizontal shafts 98 and EM, both of which are journaled for free rotation in the framework 97. These two shafts Q3 and H353 traverse the path of travel of the tape it and its wires it and H. The guide channel 9% is disposed between the shafts 98 and Hill and is provided with openings 6% for receiving a roller EM that is secured to the shaft ltd. In other words, the rollers m4 of all of the assem blies Qt, extend upwardly through openings [66 of channel member 94.

The assemblies 96 are all provided with a U- shaped bracket Hi8 formed in much the same as the brackets 66 illustrated in Fig. ll of the drawings in that the legs thereof are substantially triangular-shaped as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 also illustrates the way in which the bracket Hit is secured directly to the shaft Q8 and is swingable therewith.

Spaced from the shaft 98 and in substantially parallelism therewith is a horizontal stub shaft lid spanning the distance between the legs of the bracket H68 and journaled in suitable bearings. This stub shaft Illl has a roller Hi2 secured thereto, said roller [62 being disposed between the legs of the bracket 18 and in opposed relationship directly above the roller ic i of shaft tile. One end of the shaft Hi8 extends outwardly beyond the framework t'i and has a bevel gear iii. mounted thereon. A pair of gears H4 and lit on shafts Hi] and [til respectively, are in meshing relationship and held in this position by a coil spring 1 it disposed between the uppermost face of the bracket H38 and a bolt 129 threadably mounted in the uppermost wall of framework M.

It is clear that the tension of spring H8 may be adjusted by manipulation of the bolt 52 determining also the extent of the frictional pressure which the roller m2 imparts to the tape it and the overlapping potrions 20 and 22 thereof. In other words, this tape it passes between the rollers H52 and Hit which are driven at the rate of speed by virtue of the bevel gear H2 and the two inter-meshing gears H4 and H5. The rollers W2 and ltd are of substantially the same diameter but these rollers of the assemblies es progressively increase in diameter as the fed end of the tape is approached. In other words, the rollers it? and lill of the assemblies at first receiving the tape it are of a given diameter sufficient to impart a frictional grip to the tape it and to move the same along the framework as within the channel 9%. As the tape it reaches the second assembly 35, the rollers I92 and its thereof having a slightly greater diameter, a greater pressure or gripping force will be imparted to the tape It and an increased pull exsame erted thereon. This same-increase in pull and driving force. or he tape It s resent n h third and fourth assemblies 96 but progressively increasing in value. It thus seen that all of the assemblies 96 cooperate in driving, t a It along its horizontal path of travel, but because of this difference in the diameters of the rollers I82 and I64 of the respective assemblies 55, a longitudinal stretching force is imparted to the tape it itself. This stretching force is present throughout the entire length of the tape I6 between the first assembly at, and thelast assembly 85 along the framework 36.

It is to be understood further that additional adjustment of this pulling and stretching force upon the tape I S can be made by manipulation of the bolts I23.

Interposed between the first and the second assemblies 93 is heating structure (Fig. 4 )v broadly designated by the numeral L22. This heatstructure I; 2il includes an uppermost plate 224 preferably of asbestos or other insulating material and a body I26 provided with a cavity I23 within which is provided an electric heating element I36. 'This body 26 is made from any good heat conductor and has a pair of downturned ribs I32 extending therefrom, said ribs I32 being spaced apart a distance substantially the same as the distance between the overlying portions and 2-2 of the tape it. The lowermost edges of these ribs I32 are spaced slightly above the channel member at and as the tape progresses through the structure I22, heat emanating from element I38 will cause the portions 2i} and 22 of tape It to fuse upon the face i8 thereof.

As above mentioned, the f rst assemblies 95 serve to hold the portions 26 and 2-2 tightly against the face It of the tape it prior to passage thereof into the structure I22 and as the tape progresses outwardly from the heating structure I22 the next assembly 96 will hold the porticns 2B and 22 tightly in place until the tape I5 cools and the portions 26 and 22 rendered capable of adhesion without support.

As illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the width of the rollers I62 and IIIA is substantially the same as the distance between the wires II) and I2, thus serving as a means for holding the wires I53 and I2 in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship. By the time the wires It and I2 and the tape It secured thereto, reaches and passes beyond the last assembly 56 where stretching is no longer applied to the tape It, the overlapping portions 28 and 22 will be tightly secured in place with the wires I9 and I2 within the pipings 24 and 25. The bevel gear .82 is disposed in alignment with all of the bevel gears H2 of assemblies 96 and are actuated by a common drive constituting an elongated shaft i3; extending substantially the entire length of the frame 36 and in a horizontal position. The shaft I341 has a small bevel gear I for each of the bevel gears 5 I2 and for the bevel gear 62 respectively.

Any suitable means such as an electric motor or the like I38 may be used to drive the shaft I554. This motor I38 is mounted directly upon the framework 36 and has its drive shaft I43 joined to the shaft I34 by means of a plurality of shafts, pulleys and belts or the like broadly designated by the numeral M2 and interconnect.- ed in the conventional manner. Belts I43 join pulleys mounted upon shaft I46 of motor I33 and corresponding pulleys forming a part of the wire straightener 88 and serve to drive the. latter in the usual manner. The joined tape and wi es. are fedinto a cutting means (Fig. 7 broadl designatedbythenun eral I,4II;.inc lu ding a stationary cutting blade I46 and a vertically reciprocable cuttingblade I48. This reciprocable blade I46 is driven by an electric motor or the like liq (Rig. 1a), that drives a relatively large pulley I52. Conventional. interconnection between pulley I5 2 the shaft I54, upon which it is mounted, and the. movable cutter I48, causes reciprocation of; the. latter. It is contemplated th t ll B F-Q T WQ a semb o m a pa of the cutting meansQIM Since this means for imparting verticalreci-procation with great force to the blade IIIB, is at conventional character and forns; no part of. the. subject matter of this invention, the sameis not illustrated. in detail and need not be described From the. channeled track 94. the joined tape I6 and wires "land; I2 project between the normally spaced apart cutters I46. and I48 into a track I56 extending outwardly beyond the cutting means. [44 and mounted upon the framework 36. This track I56 constitutes a pair of spaced apart members. I58, each. of which is L- shaped in cross section as shown in Fig. 3. A number of lugs I56. removably secured to one of the members I 58; has an L-shaped plate I55 min s-macs which pla wan e t thereof spanning the distance between the members I58 in l n re ati nship he e A pluralityofupstanding iieshaped brackets I-fiIl nic n edusc the. ra ewq in spaced apart relationship, have elongated rods I62 and I64 journaled la the; legs thereof. These rods 52 and 5 spaced-1 pa t a disposed above the tracl; I56. Therqds I62 and I64 support a numbe of. ne cl. lass 6.5. and it is upon these dogs I66 that the members I 5B,of track I56 are lllQ l fiit QQs 156. a n ma y nt po i i illustrated in li ig s 9 and; 13- where the members I56 are in a; positignfor; receiving the tape I6 n s wire Wand. an as ro 2 and are; cau e to. tate n. 0. ir i n, the do s fifi will mqv nsrttbereb o n the embe s. I ..ane tandzne m tt ns droppin or feedins-o the ut sla It rom-pla e 515- Mea s qrcausins. QtatlQ o he o 2 and I64 constitutes opposed; links lfiihsecured directly w. ods; I62; and 6. an ex endin w y toward qh: oth r; ll; YQlTlY lQ i l i l ll t trac it The inne most n these L nks. 68. ar rr yided ith lle s i- A. e tic l req n pcab e mem I l. forming apar f th cut insime ns flz a a m member l lllsecured' directly'thereto as shown in Fig. 7, t i cam member 14; dep nd n nw y between the links I68 andv bearing, against the oppose rollers. I10.- I is clear that as the member I12 moves downwardly. to shift cutter I48 to a point whereit. cooperates with the rigid cutter I 46 in, severing. the tape I6 and wires I0 and- I2-, cam. I14.will; also move downwardly between the rollers 1.1.0, spreading. the same apart causing rotation of the. rods- I62 and I64 and thereby spreading the dogs I66 to release the cut slat I4. Upstanding pins. I'I.6.on rods I52 and I64 have their'uppermost ends joined to the respective bracket I60 by means of a spring H3 for yieldably holding the dogs I66 in the p0 1- tion illustrated in Fig. 13. The cut slats I4 will fall directly upon the uppermost of framework 36, or, if desired, a receiving tray therefor (not s wni ma b erq ded- The bightsof the brackets I60. are joined by anelongatedbar; IBIlprgvided with a longitudinal 9 slot I82. A U-shaped bracket I84 overlies this bar I80 and overlaps the sides thereof, this bracket I84 being provided with a pair of arms I86 depending therefrom on each side of the bar I80 (see Fig.

A pin I88 mounted upon one of the arms I34 extends into the slot I82 of bar I80. Manually operable clamping means I90 serves to shiftably secure the bracket I84 and its component parts directly to the bar I80. As noted in Fig. 10 of the drawing, arms I86 extend downwardly between the rods I62 and I64 and have secured thereto a plate I92 that projects downwardly between the L-shaped members I56. This plate I92 is connected electrically in a conventional manner to the motor I59 and since plate I92 is directly within the path of travel of the tape It and the wires It and I2, as soon as contacted a circuit is closed through the motor I59 to operate the cutting means I44 as well as the cam member I74 for releasing the cut slat I4. Since the bracket I84 is shiftably mounted upon the elongated bar I80, the length of the slat I4 may be selected. Also, this bracket I34 is removably mounted upon bar I80 to the end that the same may be moved to a point between any two of the brackets I60. Inasmuch as the wires It and I2 and tape I6 are continuously and simultaneously fed through the machine by common driving means, each time the blades I46 and I43 of cutting means I44 come into operation, the movement of the tape I6 and wires It and I2 would ordinarily be momentarily stopped. Accordingly, compensation is made for buckling of the tape and wires during each cutting operation. This buckling effect amounts to an upward bending of the tape and wires in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, said buckling taking place between the last of the assemblies 96 and the cutting means I44. At this point of upward flexing or bending of the tape and wires momentarily during each cutting operation is disposed a pair of spaced apart upstanding walls I94 to guide the tape and wires as the same moves upwardly.

While the operation of the machine has been fully described throughout the above description of the component parts thereof, a brief summary of the operation of the machine is as follows:

The wires II! and I2 are fed continuously through the rollers 54 and 5'23 while the tape it is at the same time fed from roll 49 through the means 52 and thence between the plurality of pairs of rollers I02 and 1M. Stretching action takes place in the tape it along the assemblies 96 and such stretching is released when the tape and wires reach the last of the assemblies 96. It is desired that the ends of the wires It and I2 of the slat I4 be disposed a slight distance inwardly from the end of the tape I6 and consequently, such adjustment can be made by selecting the grooves 84 into rollers 54 and 56 in which the wires I0 and I2 are disposed. These grooves 84 therefore, compensate for differing lengths of slats I4. In other words, as the switch plate I92 is shifted whereby slats I4 of different lengths are cut, the distance at which tape it projects beyond the ends of the wires It and i2 will accordingly vary because of the common drive for the tape and the wires.

It is a simple expedient to actuate the lever 80 and to change the wires It and I2 moving the same into grooves 84 of different diameters. After the strips are cut into predetermined 10 lengths, they may subsequently be placed into another machine (not shown) for mounting the clips 30 and forming the openings 28 and 34 as above described. This last mentioned clip fixing machine forms no part of this invention and has, therefore, not been illustrated or described.

It is clear that the machine just described is capable of forming Venetian blind slats of the particular character illustrated in Figs. 14 to 17 inclusive in an emcient and rapid manner, the entire formation thereof being automatic and requiring little operator attention. All of the parts thereof are relatively simple, easily replaced or repaired and inexpensive to manufacture.

Many advantages in additon to those hereinabove set forth of this machine will become obvious to those skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for making Venetian blind slats from a pair of elongated reinforcing members and a flexible, heat-fusible tape having a body portion and a pair of longitudinal marginal edges, said machine including an elongated, horizontal frame; cooperable pressure rollers for pulling said tape longitudinally along the frame by passage of the tape between the rollers; a feeder separate from the pressure rollers and engageable with the reinforcing members for pushing said reinforcing members in spaced, parallel relationship to each other along the frame, adjacent the uppermost face of the tape and in parallelism with the path of travel of the tape; means engageable with the moving tape for folding each marginal edge of the tape over a respective reinforcing member as the tape and the members continuously move along the frame together; and means for heating the tape after folding thereof for fusing said edges to said body portion of the tape as the tape passes between the rollers and said edges are pressed against the body portion thereby.

2. In a machine for making Venetian blind slats from a pair of elongated reinforcing members and a flexible, heat-fusible tape having a body portion and a pair of longitudinal marginal edges, said machine including an elongated frame; cooperable pressure rollers for pulling said tape longitudinally along the frame by passage of the tape between the rollers; a feeder for pushing said reinforcing members in spaced, parallel relationship to each other along the frame, adjacent the uppermost face of the tape and in parallelism with the path of travel of the tape; means engageable with the moving tape for folding each marginal edge of the tape over a respective reinforcing member as the tape and the members continuously move along the frame together; means for heating the tape after folding thereof for fusing said edges to said body portion of the tape as the tape passes between the rollers and said edges are pressed against the body portion thereby; and means for guiding the reinforcing members along the frame with said pressure rollers disposed between said pair of reinforcing members.

3. In a machine for making Venetian blind slats from a pair of elongated reinforcing members and a flexible, heat-fusible tape having a body portion and a pair of longitudinal marginal edges, said machine including an elongated frame; cooperable pressure rollers for pulling said tape longitudinally along the frame by passage of the tape between the rollers; a feeder for pushing said reinforcing members in spaced, parallel relationship to each other along the frame, adjacent the uppermost face of the tape and in parallelism with the path of travel of the tape; means engageable with the moving tape for folding each marginal edge of the tape over a respective reinforcing member as the tape and the members continuously move along the frame together; means for heating the tape after folding thereof for fusing said edges to said body portion of the tape as the tape passes between the rollers and said edges are pressed against the body portion thereby; and .an elongated track for guiding the tape and the reinforcing members along the frame, said track being U-shaped in cross-section, presenting spaced guide legs for said members, there being a clearance opening in the bight of said track .for disposition of the rollers between the members.

4. In a machine for making Venetian blind slats from a pair of elongated reinforcing members and a flexible, heat-fusible tape having a body portion and a pair of longitudinal marginal edges, said. machine including an elongated, horizontal frame; cooperable pressure rollers for moving said tape longitudinally along the frame by passage of the tape between the rollers; a feeder for directing said reinforcing members in spaced, parallel relationship to each other along the frame, adjacent the uppermost face of the tape and in parallelsism with the path of travel of the tape; means engageable with the moving tape for folding each marginal edge of the tape over a respective reinforcing member as the tape and the members continuously move along the frame together; means for heating the tape after folding thereof for fusing said edges to said body portion of the tape as the tape passes between the rollers and said edges are pressed against the body portion thereby; and means for controlling the pressure of said rollers on the tape whereby to vary the speed of travel of the tape with respect to the members.

5. In a machine for making Venetian blind. slats from a pair of elongated reinforcing members and a flexible, heat-fusible tape having a body portion and a pair of longitudinal marginal edges, said machine including an elongated, horizontal frame; a plurality of cooperable pressure rollers for moving said tape longitudinally along the frame by passage of the tape between the rollers; a feeder for directing said reinforcing members in spaced, parallel relationship to each other along the frame, adjacent the uppermost face of the tape and in parallelism with the path of travel of the tape; means engageable with the moving tape for folding each marginal edge of the tape over a respective reinforcing member as the tape and the members continuously move along the frame together; and means for heating the tape after folding thereof for fusing said edges to said body portions of the tape as the tape passes between the rollers and said edges are pressed against the body portion thereby, said rollers progressively increasing .in diameter as the fed end of the tape is approached for maintaining the tape longitudinally taut.

6.1m a machine for making Venetian blind slats from a pair of elongated reinforcing members and a flexible, heat-fusible tape having a body portion and a pair of longitudinal marginal edges, said machine including an elongated, horizontal frame; a plurality of cooperable pressure rollers for moving .said tape longitudinally along the frame by passage of the tape between the rollers; a feeder for directing said reinforcing members .in spaced, parallel relationship to each other along the frame, adjacent the uppermost face of the tape and in parallelism with the path of travel of the tape; means engageable with the moving tape for folding each marginal edge of the tape over a respective reinforcing member as the tape and the members continuously move along the frame together; :means for heating the tape after folding thereof for fusing edges to said body portion .of the tape as the tape passes between the rollers and said edges are pressed against the body portion thereby, rollers progressively increasing in diameter as the fed end of the tape is approached. for maintaining the tape longitudinally taut; and means for controlling the pressure of said rollers on the tape whereby to vary the speed of travel of the tape with respect to the members.

GEORGE T. CUMlllIllG.

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